Do you like your computer geniuses hairless, accented, and afflicted with several quirky tics? Then you’ll love Christoph Waltz in Terry Gilliam’s The Zero Theorem, a sci-fi farce about our neverending search for meaning and the corporate traps that keep us grounded.
After spending some time in limbo, the film is finally approaching a U.S. release this fall—and, judging from the new trailer, we’re excited for this wacky, colorful, mind-boggling romp.
Acclaimed director Terry Gilliam (Brazil, 12 Monkeys, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) returns with the visually stunning sci-fi epic The Zero Theorem, starring Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz as Qohen, an eccentric and reclusive computer genius. Living in isolation, Qohen is obsessively working on a mysterious project personally delegated to him by Management (Matt Damon) aimed at discovering the meaning of life—or the complete lack of one—once and for all.
Increasingly disturbed by visits from people he doesn’t fully trust, including the flirtatious Bainsley (Mélanie Thierry), his unpredictable supervisor Job (David Thewlis), and would-be digital therapist Dr. Shrink-Rom (Tilda Swinton), it’s only when he experiences the power of love and desire that he’s able to understand his own reason for being.
Just look at these screenshots—so pretty, and so weird. They kind of look like Transmetropolitan:
Early predictions are that the film will be extremely polarizing based on its style and content. Interestingly, the MPAA already banned one of the posters for showing Waltz’s naked ass. However, that’s probably not what would split viewers.
Watch the entire twisty, trippy trailer, and judge for yourself:
The Zero Theorem comes to theaters September 19, though you can catch it on Video On Demand starting August 19.